The Evangelical Members within the Uniting Church in Australia (EMU) is a conservative lobby group within the Uniting Church (UCA). They were previously known as Evangelical Ministers of the UCA.
EMU espouses Evangelical views and is an example of the Confessing Movement. They are strongest in South Australia where Methodism was the strongest strand coming into the UCA. EMU has gained prominence as a result of their opposition to gay ordination in the lead up to the 1997 Assembly.
While gay ordination was the catalyst in forming this group, EMU had a broader charter than homosexuality. It was recognised that at the heart of many issues confronting EMU, the fundamental issue was one of Biblical authority. That is, what authority did the Bible have in the church? Was it an outdated book that was out of step with current cultural expectations, or was it, in fact, the Word of God to the church and the world?
The purpose of EMU was clearly stated from the beginning:
1. Encourage an evangelical contribution to the Uniting Church and
2. Provide support for evangelical ministers, members, congregations and groups within the Uniting Church.
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